20110821

The Apostle Peter uses the metaphor “springs without water” to portray false teachers who lead others astray. He further describes them as those who “have left the straight way and wandered off” (2 Pet. 2:15), “who follow the corrupt desires of the sinful nature” (2 Pet. 2:10) and who “blaspheme in matters they do not understand” (2 Pet. 2:12). Peter also affirms that God will not spare these unrighteous men on the day of judgment (2 Pet. 2:9) and that “blackest darkness is reserved for them” (2 Pet 2:17b).

In contrast to springs without water, Jesus proclaims that streams of living water will flow from within those who believe in Him (Jn. 7:38). This “water” that Jesus and Peter refer to is the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, who lives with us and in us, teaching us all things and constantly reminding us everything that the Bible is teaching us.

Peter further describes the false teachers of the faith as those who are still “slaves of depravity” – under bondage to whatever sin it is that has consumed their lives. But Peter reveals that theirs is a condition that is much worse than wallowing in sin! And that is because although our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ extricate them from Sin, they once again, become entangle in Sin and overcome by it. Sin will result in spiritual and eternal death. In John 5, after healing the paralytic man at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus warns him to “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

In his warning to false teachers, the Apostle Peter also highlights the critical importance of not turning our backs on the “sacred command” that passes to all believers – the accomplishment of God’s purpose in the lives of believers. Jesus spoke of God’s Living Water: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the (Holy) Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive (Jn. 7:37-39). As Christians, we must remove all obstacles that impede the Holy Spirit – God’s Living Water – that will flow from within us! Only then are we able to fulfill God’s purpose for us in our lives. That’s Mission and Me!